Vikram Nair on motion calling for impartial Speaker and Parliament as a fair arena

The Speaker of Parliament being from the ruling party is not something that should take away from them discharging their duties independently and impartially. The fairness of Parliament also does not depend only on the individual who is the Speaker. MP Vikram Nair said this in the House on Wednesday (Aug 2). He said Parliament’s standing orders give every Member, whether from the ruling party or opposition, the chance to raise and discuss matters they feel are important. There are also checks on the Speaker’s conduct - first, the Speaker’s own party; second, Parliament itself as Members can raise objections or even file a motion; third, the ballot box as every action the Speaker makes is up for public scrutiny. Mr Nair proposed a couple of amendments to the original motion moved by the Progress Singapore Party. First, to shift the focus on a Speaker’s independence from his political party to the discharge of his duties; second, to reflect the need for all Members to commit to standing rules that ensure the House is a fair arena.